Hundreds line Tullamore streets as Ashling Murphy funeral hears family were 'robbed' of the 'most precious gift'

The family of murdered school teacher Ashling Murphy have been told at her funeral mass that they have been “robbed of your most precious gift” after a “depraved act of violence.”

Hundreds of mourners gathered at Church St Brigid, Mountbolus, Co Offaly, on Tuesday to pay their respects to the 23-year old who was fatally attacked while out jogging last week.

Crowds gathered outside the church from 9am including first class pupils that Ashling taught in Durrow National School.

They held pictures of their teacher and red roses as the funeral cortège entered the church grounds.

Symbols representing Ashling’s life of music and sport were brought to the altar.

A priest holds the mass booklet for Ashling Murphy outside St Brigid's Church (Collins Dublin)

These included a musical instrument, a photograph of Ashling, a camogie stick and a Kilcormac Killoughey GAA jersey, and a family photograph.

They were placed beside a family photograph taken on Ashling’s graduation day.

President Michael D Higgins and his wife Sabina embraced the broken Murphy family.

Ashling’s father, Ray Murphy, held onto Taoiseach Micheál Martin’s arm while Mr Martin paid his respect to the family.

All female Cabinet Ministers also attended the funeral mass.

Members of Ashling Murphy's camogie team at the funeral (Colin Keegan, Collins Dublin)

Father Michael Meade, Parish Priest of Kilcormac & Killoughey, Mountbolus addressed the Murphy family and said: “Kathleen and Ray, Cathal, Amy and her boyfriend, Ryan - you have been robbed of your most precious gift - a gift that gave only joy and love, fun and laughter to many beyond your family.”

The coffin is carried into St Brigid's Church, Mountbolus, Co Offaly, for the funeral of Ashling Murphy, who was murdered in Tullamore. (PA Wire/PA Images)

Bishop Tom Deenihan said the past few days have been a nightmare.

He told the funeral mass: “A walk on a mild and sunny afternoon in January should be a happy event, promising the brighter and warmer days of spring and summer.

“That, as we know, was not the case.

A large crowd of people fill the street (Charles McQuillan/Getty Images)

“A depraved act of violence which deprived a kind, talented, loved and admired young woman of her life has since united the country in grief and support.”

He said the crime has also asked questions of ourselves and of society.

He said: “It has questioned our attitudes and, particularly, our attitudes towards women and it has questioned our values and our morality.

Mourners walk beside the hearse carrying the coffin of Ashling Murphy as the cortege arrives for her funeral at St. Brigid’s Church (Getty)

“Whether those questions will be addressed or passed over remains to be seen but we cannot allow such violence and disregard for both human life and bodily integrity take root in our time and culture.

“We all know that no individual should die like Ashling and no family should suffer like Ashling’s.

“Respect is an old-fashioned word but it is an important one.

“Respect was missing last Wednesday but it has re-emerged here all the stronger.”